Velile ‘Sibongile’ Sikanisi

Velile Sikanisi believes that the cultural belief that a Xhosa man should sleep with an older woman after he had been to initiation school may have been the reason why he contracted HIV .
The sexual encounter with an older woman resulted in a persistent headache for few days which prompted him to visit his nearest clinic.
Sikanisi (38) aka Sibongile in his kasi of New Brighton outside Port Elizabeth has been living with HIV for 16 years. When he was diagnosed he didn't waste time but shared his HIV diagnosis story with his school principal who had encouraged him to take up an HIV test. He is doing very well on treatment.
More on his story, tune in Umhlobo Wenene FM

About Us

Brothers for Life is a social and well-being movement aimed at mobilising men to take responsibility for their own health. We hope to achieve this by promoting positive male norms and encourage men to test for HIV and undergo Medical Male Circumcision (MMC), actively take a stand against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in their communities.

Our Manifesto

Brothers who stand for responsible relationshipsBrothers who stand for responsible parentingBrothers who stand for responsible behaviourBrothers who live positivelyBrothers who do the right thingBrothers who stand for life